Inclusion is at the heart of ECCV's mission. Since 1974, we have been working to weave the story of our migrant and refugee communities into the fabric of our country, and ensure every Australian has equitable access to the support they need.
Now, as the world becomes ever more digitised and the divide grows between those able to navigate our increasingly digital world and those left behind, we have a responsibility to ensure the future of Australia is digitally inclusive.
Yesterday, ECCV launched The digital divide: Impacts on older people from migrant communities, a new research report investigating how the routine requirement to go online for vital information and services disadvantages seniors. This disadvantage is compounded for older Australians from migrant and refugee backgrounds, who also face additional barriers to accessing culturally appropriate support.
But this is not an issue in isolation. Our research report lays out the wide-reaching ramifications of the digital divide. Not being able to access essential information and services can result in poorer physical and mental health outcomes for older people, less control in their ability to make decisions and lead independent lives, increased risk of elder abuse, and greater vulnerability to exploitation and scams.
ECCV is committed to advocating for a society where no multicultural senior is left behind. This means embracing digital inclusion and continuing to resource effective, culturally appropriate digital alternatives that bridge the digital divide and enhance quality of life for all older Australians.
Eddie Micallef, Chairperson
Highlights
APPOINTING | Farah Farouque as ECCV Chief Executive Officer
ECCV is delighted to announce the appointment of Farah Farouque as Chief Executive Officer. Farah will commence in the role on 28 October 2024.
Farah's substantial experience in social policy, advocacy and strategic communications, combined with senior leadership roles in the community sector, makes her the ideal person to build on ECCV's 50-year legacy in multicultural affairs.
"Farah is an inclusive, values-driven leader with a deep commitment to advancing the interests of our diverse communities,” said Eddie Micallef, Chair of Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV).
Farah joins ECCV from Tenants Victoria, the peak body for renters, where she has been the Director of Community Engagement since 2020. She was previously Principal Advisor for Public Affairs and Policy at the national anti-poverty group Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), where she worked for seven years.
Farah was a journalist at The Age for almost 20 years, where her roles included Social Affairs Editor, Law and Justice Editor and political reporter in both the Victorian and Australian Parliamentary press galleries, as well as undertaking reporting assignments in Asia and the Middle East.
Farah is also longstanding Board Chair of The Social Studio, a social enterprise tapping into the design talents of young people from refugee and new migrant backgrounds. She also serves on the advisory board of The Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADI).
Farah said it was a privilege to be chosen to lead ECCV at a critical time.
“Cultural diversity is not a niche issue. Half of the Victorian population, just like me, were either born overseas or have a parent born overseas: we need to see multicultural perspectives penetrate every sphere and tier of policymaking.
ECCV’s grassroots connection to communities and organisational values, which include equity, courage, respect and compassion really resonates with me. Thank you to the ECCV Board for entrusting me with this key role, it feels like a full circle for someone who arrived here with my family as a child migrant from Sri Lanka,” Farah said.
The CEO appointment follows a robust recruitment process, attracting a strong and diverse field of candidates.
LAUNCHING | New report: Impacts of the digital divide
ECCV yesterday launched a new research report looking at how the push to go digital affects multicultural seniors. 'The digital divide' report found that older people are increasingly disadvantaged through the routine requirement to go online for vital information and services. This ‘digital exclusion’ is compounded for culturally diverse seniors, who already face systemic barriers to access.
ATTENDING | Changepreneurs and AMCS graduation
ECCV was pleased to attend a graduation ceremony held by Changepreneurs and Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS) for 50 emerging leaders from their Multicultural Leadership Training Program. Congratulations to ECCV Board member and Changepreneurs founder Abiola Akinbiyi who organised the wonderful event at Parliament House last month along with the AMCS team.
INTRODUCING | Multicultural youth advocates for mental health
ECCV is proud to introduce Aristidis Tsoulakos, Dieudonne Etoile, Danica Meas and Simran Pande as the members of our new Multicultural Young Advocacy Group. These four passionate young advocates will be shaping mental health engagement strategies for Victoria's youth by co-designing mental health training with a focus on lived experience. We look forward to sharing more about their work.
VISITING | ECCV partners in Shepparton
ECCV visited the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District last week to discuss working together on projects including the MEMI - Multicultural Emergency Management Initiative. We held productive meetings with the Shepparton Regional Multicultural Emergency Management Working Group, the Greater Shepparton City Council Emergency Management team and key stakeholders such as Shepparton Mosque.
LEARNING | About our state's new trauma service
Transforming Trauma Victoria (TTV) presented at a meeting last week of ECCV’s Multicultural Mental Health Network. As the new comprehensive service providing mental health support to Victorians affected by trauma, TTV is the world’s first jurisdiction-wide trauma service. The presentation was a great opportunity for Network members to learn more and ask questions about TTV's cross-disciplinary approach.
REPORTING | Recent PACHW meeting
Identifying the priorities for multicultural Victoria ahead of the 2025-26 State Budget was a key topic of discussion at last week's meeting of ECCV's Policy Advisory Committee on Health & Wellbeing (PACHW). Con Pagonis also presented at the meeting about the recent review of Australia’s Multicultural Framework. Con has decades of experience in multicultural policy and brought historical perspectives to the discussion.
Opportunities and Resources
HEARING | Your say: in ECCV member survey
ECCV is keen to hear from our members about their issues and ideas for the 2025-26 State Budget. Whether you're an individual member or work for a member organisation, we invite you to share your thoughts in a short online survey to help us capture the key priorities for multicultural Victoria in our Pre-Budget Submission.
LISTENING | To diverse stories of people with disability
Featuring interviews in more than 20 languages, the Speak My Language podcast series showcases the real stories of people from migrant and refugee backgrounds living well with disability, and highlights organisations and businesses advocating for disability inclusion. ECCV is excited to work with the Ethnic Communities' Council of NSW to promote the podcast.
MORE:
Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555
ECCV acknowledges the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nations as the Traditional Owners of the Country on which we work. We pay respect to their Elders past and present, acknowledge their continuing connections to land, sea and community, and extend respect to Traditional Owners throughout Victoria.